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Mar 17
0

Green Tea Body Scrub

By | Beauty, DIY | No Comments

Green Tea Body Scrub

No big plans for St. Patrick’s Day or you want just a low key night.  Try this Green Tea body scrub.  I like tea but I have not been able to get into the drinking green tea, do you feel the same? This is for you!  You can get the skin benefits without the taste and use up that green matcha powder while you’re at it!  Green tea is full of antioxidants which fight free radicals you know those things that lead to aging skin.  It can also improve complexion and calm redness.

Body scrubs are good after the drying winter season.  Get rid of the dulling dead skin and leave the shower with smooth skin and reap the benefits of green tea.  Jump in the shower (carefully body scrubs add to slippery shower floors) or bath and show your skin some love!

Green Tea Body Scrub

1 1/2 C Sugar (granulated is smaller and will give you a lighter exfoliation and natural is more coarse leading to a coarser exfoliation)

2 Tsp Green Tea Powder (Matcha)

2 Green Tea Bags brewed and cooled

1 C Coconut Oil

Mix ingredients together. Slowly pour in tea and mix until you get your desired consistency.  I will look gritty wet sand like.  It will look grittier if you use coarser sugar.  You can also use brown sugar if you prefer.

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Tips and Tricks: If you use distilled water when you brew your tea the scrub will last longer.  If you want this to have a longer shelf life omit the brewed tea and cut open the tea bag and add the leaves without the water it lasts longer. This recipe makes about three 8 ounce jars of scrub.  Adjust the recipe according to how much you want to make. There are no preservatives in this so it will not last long.

Mar 15
0

Irish Mule with Ginger Kombucha and Whiskey

By | Healthy Cocktails, Healthy Recipes | No Comments

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I love Irish Mule’s, but i always like to incorporate healthy ingredients into everything I make. Follow this simple recipe to make your own Irish Mule with Ginger Kombucha and Irish Whiskey. For this recipe I added 1 ounce of Irish Whiskey, 6 ounces of Ginger Kombucha, and squeezed in a full lime. I added all these ingredients into a shaker with ice and mixed. If you want to ace the presentation, service in a copper metal glass, and garnish with a lime wedge.

Mar 13
0

St. Patrick’s Day: Food and Drink Ideas

By | Healthy Recipes, Recipes | No Comments

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Irish or not St. Patrick’s Day is fun to celebrate!  These are not traditionally Irish but they are fun and simple ways to celebrate all day! The first recipe is great for breakfast.  Eggs fried in a “shamrock”.  Super easy and a fun way to start the day!

St. Patricks Day falls on a Friday this year.  Enjoy your Friday Night Pizza night with shamrock personal pizzas.  The dough is super easy to make and you will know exactly whats in it.  No time for making your own dough?  Most grocery stores have fresh made dough available in the deli section.    Sliced bell peppers are the shamrocks on these pizzas.  You could add any green toppings you want.  Anything! Have fun!   Finish the night with Lime Sherbet Floats.  A fun twist on a root beer float with sherbet and Sprite.

A few other healthy, fun ideas:  Greens and eggs.  Scramble eggs with greens like spinach.  Pesto.  Great on a pizza.  Green smoothies.  Eat the rainbow. Place veggies in the order they appear in the rainbow.

Shamrock Eggs

1 bell pepper remove the ends, ribs, and seeds. Slice the bell pepper into thin slices.  They will look like shamrocks.  Heat a pan over medium heat with coconut oil or butter whatever you prefer.  Place pepper slices in pan break egg into the middle of the pepper. Cook to preference.

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Shamrock Personal Pizzas

Pizza Dough

In 3/4 Cup warm water disolve 1 packet active dry yeast and 2 teaspoons sugar. Let sit for 10 minutes

In a bowl mix 1 Cup all purpose flour, 1 Cup Whole Wheat flour, 1 teaspoon salt.  (This recipe is super easy to make gluten free by using 1:1 gluten free flour.  My favorite it Bob’s Red Mill).

Make a well in the dry ingredients.  Add 2 tablespoons olive oil.  Then add in the wet ingredients and mix.

Next, on a floured surface knead for about 10 minutes.

Oil a bowl place dough in cover.  Let rise for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut dough into four pieces.  Roll out into small circles.  Add sauce and cheese.  Slice the bell pepper into thin slices using one for stem pieces.

Bake checking after 15 minutes.   The dough should be golden and cheese should be bubbly.

*If you made this with gluten free flour you will need to add about a 1/4 cup more water.

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Come on how cute are these?!

And for dessert these lime sherbet floats will be a hit! Great for the kids and adults.  Who doesn’t love a float?!

Lime Sherbet Floats

In a glass place 2 scoops lime sherbet, top with Sprite.  Serve with a fun straw!

 

These recipes were a lot of fun to make and were a hit in my house! Have a Happy St. Patricks Day!

 

Mar 10
0

Homemade Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

By | Health Tips | No Comments

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Apple Cider Vinegar is the by product of fermented apples.  Apples are full of potassium, pectin, and calcium.  Fermentation fortifies it with even more beneficial acids and enzymes.  Its antiseptic and antibacterial.  Apple Cider Vinegar can improve overall skin complexion by restoring and balancing natural pH.

Toner improves overall skin texture and removes dead cells that stick even after cleansing.  Provides needed hydration to your skin which is essential to smoothness, moisture and a more youthful appearance.  Hydration also reduces the signs of aging.  Large pores allow more dirt, oils, and toxins into your skin, using a toner shrinks pores.  Toner works to remove environmental toxins helping your skin look brighter and healthier.

Apple Cider Vinegar Toner

Sensitive Skin

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar

4 parts filtered water

Normal Skin

1 part Apple Cider Vinegar

2 parts filtered water

Make a small amount to start Apple Cider Vinegar is strong and needs to be diluted especially for sensitive skin.  If you find the mixture too strong add more water and if its too weak add more apple cider vinegar.  This is super important for sensitive skin.  This toner is shelf stable keep in a glass jar with a lid or in a small spray bottle.  Apply with a cotton ball or spritz on face.

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This is 3 tablespoons ACV with 9 tablespoons filtered water.  This is the ratio that works for me and fits in my jar.  I have sensitive skin and this is what works for me.  A reminder always try a small amount to figure out the right dilution ratio for yourself.  When adjusting the recipe to make it weaker or stronger add a tablespoon at a time until you have found the right ratio for your skin.  After a while your skin may become used to this toner and need to adjust.

 

Mar 08
0

Favorite Go To Meals

By | Health Tips, Healthy Recipes | No Comments

Favorite Go To Meals

Life gets busy!  Its nice to be able to have a list of favorite recipes that you can go to.  I like simple recipes that can be adapted to what I have on hand.  I really like meals that use up leftovers in a different way if its a one pot meal even better.  Cooking this way makes me get creative and is how some of my favorites meals are made up.  Here are a few ideas for you to use.

Tacos.  We have tacos a lot they make easy no think dinners.  Ingredients can be adapted to whatever you have in the fridge.  I have no rules when it comes to tacos.  Roasted veggies, beans, meat, lettuce, or tortillas.  Add cheese, salsa, or whatever else as topping.  Super easy way to clean out the fridge and use up leftover veggies or proteins from the week.

Chili.  Beans and tomatoes are the base.  Add whatever veggies or meat you have leftover.  Sweet potatoes, zucchini, chicken, or beef.  I call this clean the fridge out chili.  I will toss anything I have left so nothing goes to waste.

Eggs.  If I’m really out of ideas roasted veggies, a grain like quinoa or rice, and throw an egg on top.  Boom dinner!  Eggs are great on top of salads too.

Chicken Veggie Bake.  On a baking sheet toss chicken cut into chunks with veggies.  Top with any sauce or seasoning you want.  Bake.  Serve with a grain or alone.

Protein, Veggie, and Grain.  Last but probably the most used in my house.  Chicken, beef, fish, or any form of protein you want.  Add  steamed Veggies and a grain and you have a complete meal.  Bonus you can make extra and have a lunch or stuff to throw on a salad.

These make up a lot of the dinners I make in our house.  I like easy week night dinners with minimal clean up.  They are meals made of staples I always have in my fridge or leftovers from dinners during the week I don’t want to waste.

Mar 06
0

Get Ready for Spring Forward

By | Health Tips | No Comments

Spring Forward

Its the time of year again.  Spring forward.  We lose an hour of sleep and its rough.  We gain more daylight but loosing that hour takes a bit to get use to.  Yay for more daylight, boo for loosing an hour of sleep.  Some people have no problem adjusting to this change but some of us have a lot of trouble.  When we fall back I really don’t have trouble adjusting but this losing an hour is rough.  I find myself “sleeping in” and waking up groggy and feeling like it takes me forever to start my day.  So I have been thinking of way to prepare myself this year and thought I would share.  Here are a few tips for making the transition to longer days and spring a little easier.

Start going to bed earlier a few days before.  15-30 minutes.  Strive for 7-8 hours of sleep.  Adjusting your sleep prior will help you will make it easier for you.  Avoid the urge to sleep in on to make up for the loss of sleep or to prepare for it.  Stick to your routine.  We are creatures of habit and daily routines keep life easier when changes are happening.

Be active.  You will be more likely to be tired and sleep well.  Get outside, workout, don’t be a couch potato.  Even if its a walk around the neighborhood just move you will thank yourself.  Just make sure you leave yourself time to relax before bed.

Start cutting off your caffeine intake earlier then usual.  6 hours before bed time is ideal.  Cut off alcohol consumption 2 hours prior to when you want to sleep.  Alcohol and caffeine disrupt the natural sleep cycle.  Turn off your electronics 1 hour prior to sleep.  Removing distractions will make it so you sleep soundly all night.  These are good tips for every night but are especially important when your schedule is already disrupted.

Take time adjusting.  Slowly start resetting your bed time by 15 minutes each night until you are back to the normal time.  Just like when you travel it takes time to adjust and adjust back. Be nice to yourself.  Take care of yourself.

Mar 06
0

My Beauty Must Haves

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Beauty Must Haves

Must have beauty products I use daily

I have pretty sensitive skin and I’m super picky about what I use.  Your skin is your largest organ so it matters what you put on it.  I like products that are good quality as organic or naturally derived as I can find.  I’m pretty low maintenance when it comes to how many products I use of have.  I find one I like that doesn’t make my skin breakout in a rash I will use it forever! Want to find new good for you products join beauty box subscription service.  There are a lot out there Petit Vour is great because they send sample sized vegan products for you to try for about $15.00.  I have found a few new products this way and if you don’t like one its only a sample size and easy to get rid of.    

A few of my favorites right now are.

OSEA Malibu Atmosphere Protection Creme- It’s expensive but this moisturizer is super light weight and not greasy making it awesome under makeup.  It can be mixed with foundation for an even smooth application.  It protects against environmental stressors.  I use this every day right out of the shower.  My only complaint is the pump stops working when the bottle gets low but its not that big of a deal I just take the top off.  A huge plus its all natural.  oseamalibu.com

Pacifica Stellar Gaze Mascara in Supernova- This mascara is infused with coconut oil and Vitamin B to hydrate and strengthen your lashes.  It has great color, its not flaky, and give you a natural look. Add volume by adding more.  pacificabeauty.com

Shamanuti Activated Charcoal Cleanser- Activated charcoal neutralizes acidity and absorbs impurities with gentle exfoliation.  This is great for sensitive skin, it smells great and is non drying.  I usually use this at night because it takes my makeup off without a lot of effort.  shamanuti.com

I always keep a few things in my bathroom for when I run out of something or need extra help with a problem area.  Those items are coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and aloe.  Coconut oil is great to cook with but keep a jar in your bathroom because you can use it for anything.  Moisturizer, makeup remover, out of shave gel coconut oil works great.  If my skin is really dry I will slather myself in coconut oil and smell great all day!  ACV is a great toner make sure to dilute because ACV is strong.  In a small spray bottle or jar mix 3 parts water with 1 part ACV add a good skin essential oil if you want and there you go homemade skin toner.  I also use this as a hair rinse when my scalp is needing extra attention.  Aloe is a great moisturizer especially on your face.  Have a sun burn or been in the sun all day have aloe on hand its calming to the skin.   

Do you have any favorites? Or products I should try? Let me know!

Jan 27
0

Meal Planning vs. Meal Prepping

By | Health Tips | No Comments

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Difference between Meal Planning and Meal Prepping

Meal planning and meal prepping are great ways to keep on track with your health goals. Its great to have a dinner or lunch or even breakfast already planned and the food already in your refrigerator. You can do one or both. Do which ever fits into your life and fits with your goals. If you find that dinner is a mad rush and time is limited maybe chopping vegetables or having something already prepped to throw together and cook would be handy to have already prepared. Maybe having your lunches put together to save time in the morning and keep the fast food away is what you need. I am going to breakdown planning and prepping below and share some of my tips and tricks so you can figure out what will work best for you.

What is Meal Planning?

Meal planning can be a little intimidating at the start. Make this easier by sitting down and organizing your recipes or meals in a notebook or on your computer somewhere that is easy to access. Organize meals by family favorites or go-tos and by new recipes you would like to try to keep things interesting. You can further organize these by ingredient, main dish, side, or just keep a running list of ideas. It doesn’t need to by complicated organize however it will work for you.

A few tips and tricks to make things easier. Pay attention to your schedule for the week. Look at your calendar and make note of activities or events you have going on. A busy night that calls for a crockpot meal? Are you planning to eat out one night? This way you will be prepared for whatever you have going on. Theme nights are also a fun and easy way to already have a meal crossed off your list each week. Taco Tuesday. Meatless Monday. Pizza night. Breakfast for dinner. Whatever you or your family likes make it a night each week. This is fun and can become the night you look forward to the most. First things first start by organizing yourself. It will a lot easier to start this process and make it successful if you first collect recipes, and organize them.

What is Meal Prepping?

Meal prepping can be prepping veggies for the week, prepping whole meals, or making a big batch of something and freezing half of it for a later date. Taking sometime to wash vegetables and chop them up for an easy snack to grab or to save time when preparing dinner. You can prep whole dinners or lunches by cooking a large batch of protein, roast some veggies, and you have a quick grab and go dinner or lunch. Another great way to prep is make a large batch of something you are already making and freezing half for a quick dinner on a busy night or a night when the plan just doesn’t work out.

A few tips prepping and freezing a week of smoothies is an easy way to save time in the morning. Your freezer is your best friend seriously! Soups, taco meat, egg muffins, breakfast burritos, fajita filling. The list can go on. Make lunches easier by having veggies already cut up, cook a grain in bulk to add in, and have a protein cooked so you can throw it together and go. Time saver and money saver since you won’t be tempted to eat out!

Check out recipe ideas on our blog and on our Pinterest page.